MOHAMMED FOUNDER OF ISLAM

Mohammed was born in Mecca, the capital of Arabia, of mother Amina and father Abdullah, on the 20th August 570 A.D. His father died before his birth. He was nursed from infancy up to the age of 5 by Halima. Mohammed spent the sixth year with his mother in Mecca. Soon after his mother fell ill and died. The early loss of his mother made him feel lonely and sorrowful. He began to meditate on the transitories of earthly relations. After the death of his mother, he was taken care of by his grandfather, Abdul Mutalib, the priest of Kaaba. His grandfather died when he was only eight (in 578 A.D.). After that his uncle Abu Mutalib took care of him.

Mohammed was honoured, respected and revered by his people who called him Al-Amin (The Faithful)

At the age of 25, Mohammed married Khatijah (Khatizah), a rich widow who trusted him and loved him especially because of his honesty and diligence. They had two sons and four daughters. They also adopted two so-ns, Zeid and Ally.

At the age of 35, he repaired the walls of Kaaba which were shattered by a violent flood. Since then Mohammed began to crave for divine relevation. At the age of 40, he received divine inspiration and realised that he was the prophet. Mohammed's first followers were his wife, his two adopted sons and his good friend Abu Bakar. Angel Gabriel appeared before him and asked him to "recite the name of the Lord". Mohammed often went into trance of ecstasy. At the age of 44, Mohammed became firmly convinced that he was the Prophet of God. He began to uplift his people from the depth of degradation and started preaching first among his intimate friends, then among the members of his Korish tribe and thereafter publicly in the city and its suburbs. When he began to denounce the superstitious practices by his countrymen, he was bitterly persecuted by the Meccans. He fled to Medina, where he made several convents. At Medina he built the first mosque called Friday (Majid Al Juma).

Mohammed launched intensive programmes for the propogation of Islam (Islam means surrender of the soul to God). Missionaries were sent to all parts of Arabia, Egypt and Persia. In 628 A.D, Prophet Mohammed led an army of 10 000 men and occupied Mecca in a bloodless manner. In the year 10 Hijra, he went to Mecca for Haj and on his return to Medina he suffered from severe fever and died at the age of 63 in the A.D year 632 A.D. His wife died when he was 50 years old.

Mohammed disciplined the lawless Arabs and changed their character. He enacted laws and made them law-abiding. He created a nation from disintegrated and warring factions. Mohammed preached Unity of God - whoever believes his doctrine receives everlasting life and celestial happiness. No Prophet had ever suffered so much persecution, nor had shown so much firmness of Faith and Trust in the Will of his Lord throughout his life and under all circumstances that was demonstrated by the Prophet of Arabia.

Mohammed gave mankind a clear and comprehensive set of moral principles. The daily life of the Prophet was a unique example of simplicity and servitude for fellow beings. He was an embodiment of compassion and mercy. His life itself was his Message. His wife said that "the character of Mohammed was the Koran".